Shondaland's For the People is essentially How to Get Away with Murder without Viola Davis

It is as disappointing as that sounds, says Sonia Saraiya of the drama from Shonda Rhimes and Scandal writer Paul William Davies. "For the People is so gratingly self-conscious that at times, especially in the pilot, it’s as if every character is frantically waving their hands and shouting, 'I’m on TV! We’re in a TV show!'" she says, adding: "For the People presents us the Shondaland gold standard of six-odd young overachievers, who all talk too fast and smolder with unresolved sexual tension. Right from the first frame they’re scrambled together in various heterosexual romantic pairings, like shaking dice in a cup and seeing what happens next. But unlike Rhimes’ best shows, For the People lacks even a modicum of subtlety — a subtlety often provided by the lead actor, be it Viola Davis or Kerry Washington. It’s zingy, and follows the right patterns, but For the People is almost impossible to invest in.